Don't Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures [Paperback]

Barbara Barrie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 1999

A remarkably candid and informative first-person account of surviving colon cancer and living after a colostomy. A helpful guide for anyone facing this life-altering surgery.

Every year 70,000 people in the United States and Canada undergo colostomies. In 1994, Barbara Barrie became one of them. When the successful actress received the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, she knew that this was the greatest crisis she and her family would face. But it also became an adventure that, through courage and humor, brought new joys and a greater appreciation to her life.

More than just a memoir, Don't Die of Embarrassment provides valuable information about the ostomy experience. She gives essential information about the occurrence of colon cancer, its symptoms, and treatment options. A valuable guide for people learning to adjust to an altered lifestyle after surgery.

Includes a new afterword, written by Dr. Otis W. Brawley.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Betty Rollin A vivid, touching, often funny story about one of life's most indelicate medical nightmares.

Liz Smith A brilliantly told tale of recovery, hope, faith, and love. What happened to Barrie happens to a lot of people; she has done a great service by speaking out, conveying her experience so movingly and in such a straightforward manner.

About the Author

Barbara Barrie was a Tony nominee for her role in Company and an Academy Award nominee for best actress in Breaking Away. For several years she played Mrs. Barney Miller on the television series Barney Miller. She has performed Shakespeare at Stratford and with the New York Public Theater in Central Park, and she currently plays Brooke Shields's feisty grandmother on the hit series Suddenly Susan. She lives in New York City with her husband, Jay Harnick.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; 1st Fireside Ed edition (March 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684846241
• ISBN-13: 978-0684846248
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #637,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Barbara Tells a Good Story, June 30, 2000

By 

Courtney L. Lewis "Sassy Librarian" (Kingston, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures (Paperback)

Barbara Barrie does a good job telling a coherent, compelling tale of her experience of colon cancer but her outright honesty about her own denial of long-term symptoms makes you want to shake her! Anyone undergoing the bodily image changes of an ostomy will identify with her embarassment and ultimate acceptance of a difficult, but liberating (it gives you your life back), adjustment.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring, boring, September 27, 2010

By 

ranat-ka (Renton, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Don't Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures (Paperback)

Well, I guess I had a different take on this book than the other reviewers here. Having a new colostomy, I was really hoping that there would be a lot of information about that in this book. Unfortunately for me, most of the book was about her acting gigs, which I have no interest in. And there was a lot on her botched colostomy, which is really awful but again, not something I'm dealing with. Her attitude is wonderful, and I can't even imagine how she could have chemotherapy and then work the same day. I truly admire who she is. But the information I personally was hoping would be in this book (from the sound of the title) just wasn't there.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars must read if you have a colostomy great read even if you don't, March 23, 2010

By 

Karen E. Grimm "KEG" (Cody Wyoming) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Don't Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures (Paperback)

Barbara Barrie is a delightful writer who really got to the heart of having rectal/colon cancer. so much of what she wrote, if i didn't know better, i would have said i was written by me,starting with the denial of symptoms {bleeding abnormal bowels}. So much easier to think hemorrhoids, i'm getting older probably polyps com-busting, and even thinking i didn't need a colonoscopy because there wasn't rectal/colon cancer in my family. stupid stupid stupid. it was so comforting and reassuring to see she has gotten past all of it. reconciling my self to a colostomy bag has not been easy (i had 4 operations within a month and the frustration of it all was enormous}. i know the tears and fears she felt, i had them too. Thanks Miss Barrie, i'm so glad you wrote this book